Apparatus for securing lids on containers



July 26, 1966 J P. LOVOY 3,252,243

APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS ON CONTAINERS Filed June 17, 1963 5Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. y 1 Jacob F? Lox 91 BY MV M Afforneva July 26,1966 J. P. LOVOY APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS 0N CONTAINERS Filed June17. 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 1 \1l//////////////////////////////////////fl///////////// INVENTOR.

lava

Jacob P.

A 7 forngys July 26, 1966 J. P. LOVOY 3,262,248

APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS 0N CONTAINERS Filed June 17, 1963 3Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Jacob F? Lovey M ,Mhy

A Homgys United States Patent 3,262,248 APPARATUS FOR SECURING LIDS ONCONTAINERS Jacob P. Lovoy, Birmingham, Ala., assignor to William C.Gilrner, Birmingham, Ala. Filed June 17, 1963, Ser. No. 288,135 11Claims. (Cl. 53--335) This invention relates to apparatus for securinglids on containers and particularly to such apparatus which shall beadapted to secure a ductile lid on a container, such as a glass jar orthe like.

An object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing a ductilelid on a container in which only the under peripheral surface of the lidis pressed against the container, thereby eliminating excessiveexpansion of the ductile lid to provide a firm fit between the lid andthe container.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing aductile lid on a container in which the sealing action is obtained bypressures being applied at the top of the lid and along the peripheralunder surface thereof whereby the skirt of the lid is turned under by asqueeze action without the application of pressure intermediate the topof the lid and the under peripheral surface thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing aductile lid on a container in which a minimum of vertical pressure isrequired between the container and the apparatus.

Another object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing aductile lid on a container of the character designated in which thecontainer floats or moves with angularly spaced lid forming members,thereby eliminating the necessity of mounting the container rigidlywithin the apparatus and thus reducing breakage by the application ofexcessive pressures to the lid and container.

A further object of my invention is to provide apparatus for securing aductile lid on a container of the character designated in which improvedstop means is provided which limits inward movement of the lid formingmembers, thereby assuring that a uniform pressure is applied around theperiphery of the lid and container.

A still further object of my invention is to provide apparatus forsecuring a ductile lid on a container of the character designated whichshall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one whichdoes not require highly skilled operators to operate the same.

As is well known in the art to which my invention relates, it is verydifficult to apply a uniform pressure to secure ductile lids ontocontainers, such as glass jars and the like, due to the fact that suchcontainers are often slightly out of round. Also, excessive pressurescannot be applied to such containers due to the fact that they areeasily broken. Furthermore, prior methods of attaching ductile lids tosuch containers have often resulted in loose lids due to the fact thatthe material forming the skirts of the lids is stretched during theforming operation whereby upon release of pressure, the skirt tends toseparate from the container.

To overcome the above and other difficulties, I provide apparatus forsecuring a ductile lid on a container in which the skirt of the lid isdeformed by a squeeze action between the top of the lid and the underperipheral surface of the lid. The portion of the lid skirt between theunder peripheral surface and the top of the lid is not contacted by theforming means whereby upon release of pressure, the material forming theskirt tends to grip the container to thus provide a firm connectionbetween the lid and the container. To assure a uniform application ofpressure to the lid during the forming operation, I provide an annularstop member which is disposed to be engaged by the forming memberswhereby inward movement of the forming members is limited. The formingmembers are mounted on centrifugally actuated members which extend in acommon plane about the lid. Accordingly, the :amount of pressure appliedto the lid is controlled by the rate of rotation of the forming membersabout the lid.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus for securing a lid ona container, partly broken away and in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 ofFIG. 2, showing the forming member out of contact with the lid;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmental, sectional view showing a formingmember in contact with the skirt of the lid during the initial formingoperation;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental, sectional view showing the position of theforming member relative to the pressure plate and the container afterthe forming operation has been completed;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 66of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken generally along the line 77of FIG. 2, parts being omitted for the sake of clarity; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmental view showing the means which preventsrotation of the pressure plate.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of myinvention, I show a main frame 10 having a base 11 and a head 12 whichare supported in vertical spaced relation to each other by a column 13.Mounted for vertical reciprocation in the base 11 is a support member 14which comprises a vertical rod 16 supported at its lower end by a cam17. Rotary motion is imparted to the cam 17 by an operating handle 18whereby the rod 16 is raised and lowered relative to the base 11.Mounted on the rod-like member 16 is a supporting plate 19 which isadapted to support a container 21 between the base 11 and the head 12,as shown in FIG. 1. Upstanding brackets 22 are mounted on the supportingplate 19 in position to engage the container 21 and thus align the samerelative to the lid forming members to be described hereinafter.

The head 12 comprises a housing 23 which is connected at one end to theupstanding column 13. Secured to the under surface of the housing 23 bysuitable mean is a horizontal plate 24 which is formed integrally with adepending annular flange 26 that is adapted to surround the upperportion of the container 21, as shown.

Mounted within the housing 23 by suitable means, such as bolts 27,. is abearing unit 28 having balls 29. Mounted for rotation within the bearingunit 28 is a sleeve-like member 31. To limit axial movement of thesleeve-like member 31 relative to the bearing unit 28, I provide anannular recess 32 in the outer surface of the sleeve-like member inposition to receive an annular snap ring 33.

Extending downwardly through an opening 34 in the housing 23 is astationary sleeve-like member 36 which is held in position by a setscrew 37 carried by a supporting bracket 38. As shown in FIG. 7, thesupport bracket 38 is secured to the housing 23 by suitable means, suchas bolts 39. Suitable bearing units 41 and 42 are interposed between thesleeve-like member 31 and the sleevelike member 36 whereby thesleeve-like member 31 is adapted for free rotation relative to thesleeve-like member 36. A pulley 43 is mounted non-rotatably on thesleeve-like member 31 and is driven by a motor 44 through a V-belt 46.Formed integrally with the lower end of the sleeve-like member 31 is ahorizontal, rotatable member 47.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, depending pivot pins 48 are secured to therotatable member 47 at angularly spaced intervals. Preferably, the upperends of the pivot pins 48 are provided with suitable threads 49 whichengage threaded openings 51 provided in the rotatable member 47. A leverarm 52 is mounted intermediate its ends on each of the pivot pins 48, asshown in FIG. 2. Mounted for rotation at one end of each of the leverarms 52 is a forming member 53. Accordingly, angularly spaced formingmembers 53 are arranged concentrically about the top of the container21, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and a ductile lid 54 is positioned on the top ofthe container 21 whereby the skirt of the lid indicated at 56 extendsoutwardly and downwardly around the upper portion of the container. Tohold the lid 54 in position on the container 21 prior to the formingoperation, I mount a pressure plate 57 adjacent the lower end of arod-like member 58 which is adapted for a limited amount of axialmovement relative to the sleeve-like member 36. Mounted within the upperportion of the sleeve 36 is a sleeve member 35 which defines'a springabutment for a compression spring 35a which in turn surrounds therod-like member 58. A transverse pin 35b is carried by the lower end ofthe rod-like member 58 in position to ride in downwardly opening slots60 provided in opposite sides of the sleeve 36, as shown in FIG. 8, toprevent rotation of the pressure plate 57. Accordingly the spring 35aurges the rod-like member and the pressure plate 57 toward the lid 54whereby the lid is forced against the top of the container 21. The lowersurface of the pressure plate 57 is convex, as shown in FIG. 7 wherebyany excess material in the container is expelled prior to the sealingoperation.

In view of the fact that the forming members 53 are arrangedconcentrically about the lid 54, the pressure plate 57 only appliessuflicient pressure to the top of the lid 54 to hold the lid in placeuntil the forming members 53 are moved into engagement with the skirt 56of the lid. Accordingly, the container 21 and the lid 54 are adapted forfree floating movement with the forming members 53 whereby a uniformpressure is exerted to the skirt of the lid 54 even though the top ofthe container 21 may be out of round. Axial movement of the rod-likemember 58 relative to the sleeve-like member 36 is limited by the lowerend of the sleeve-like member 36 engaging the upper surface of thepressure plate 57 and engagement of the upper end of the sleeve-likemember 36 with lock nuts 59 carried by the rod-like member 58.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, each forming member 53 is provided with aperipheral projection or flange 61 which is adapted to engage an annularsurface 62 carried by the pressure plate 57. The lower end of eachforming member 53 slopes downwardly and outwardly, as shown in FIGS. 3-5to provide a peripheral portion 63 which is adapted to engage the underperipheral surface of the skirt 56 of lid 54, as clearly shown in FIG.5. That is, as the forming member 53 moves inwardly toward the lid 54 itturns the skirt 56 under whereby it assumes the position shown in FIG. 5upon completing the sealing operation. The portion of the forming member53 between the contact portion 63 and the peripheral flange 61 remainsout of contact with the lid 54 to thus provide an annular recess 64between the lid 54 and the forming member. Accordingly, the lid 54 issecured in place by a squeeze action between the area of contact 63 andthe peripheral flange 61.

To urge the forming members 53 inwardly toward the lid 54, I mount acounterweight 66 on each of the lever arms 52. That is, thecounterweights 66 are mounted on the opposite side of the pivot pins 48from the forming members 53.

Each lever arm 52 is provided with upper and lower elongated members 67and 68 for receiving the counterweights 66. Elongated slots 69 and 71are provided in the elongated members 67 and 68, respectively, as shownin FIGS. 2 and 6. Each counterweight 66 is provided with an upstandingprojection 72 which is adapted to ride within the elongated slot 69, asshown in FIG. 6. The counterweight 66 is held in selected positionsrelative to the elongated members 67 and 68 of the lever arm 52 by setscrews 73 which extend through the elongated slots 71 into threadedengagement with the counterweigh ts 66. Accordingly, each counterweight66 is mounted for sliding adjustment relative to the lever arm 52. Also,the counterweight 66 is mounted wholly within the confines of the leverarm 52 whereby it does not interfere in any way with the operation ofthe apparatus.

To return the forming members 53 to their outermost positions relativeto the pressure plate 57, as shown in FIG. 2, I connect the ends of thelever arm 52 opposite the forming members 53 to adjacent pivot members48 by suitable tension springs 74. Accordingly, upon stopping rotationof the member 47 and the lever arms 52, the springs 74 move the formingmembers 53 out of engagement with the lid 54 whereupon the container 21may be removed from the apparatus.

To stop rotation of the rotatable member 47, I provide a suitable brake76 which is provided with an arcuate surface 77 in position to engagethe periphery of the rotatable member 47, as shown in FIG. 2. The brakemember 76 is actuated by suitable means through a rod 78.

From the foregoing description, the operation of my apparatus forsecuring ductile lids on containers will be readily understood. Thecontainer 21 having a lid 54 thereon is positioned on the support member*14 against the aligning brackets 22 whereby the container is positionedbeneath the pressure plate 57 with the angularly spaced forming members53 extending in a common plane about the top of the container 21 and thelid 54. With the container 21 thus positioned, rotary motion is impartedto the rotatable member 47 by energizing the motor 44. As the rotatablemember 47 rotates, the counterweights 66 move outwardly by centrifugalforce whereupon the forming members 53 are urged into engagement withthe skirt 56 of the lid 54, as shown in FIG. 4. In view of the fact thatthe lid 54 is held in place by the forming members 53, excessivepressure is not exerted on top of the lid 54 by the pressure plate 57.Accordingly, the container 21 and the lid 54 are adapted for freefloating movement with the forming members 53 whereby uniform pressureis exerted around the periphery of the lid 54. The forming members 53continue to move inwardly until the annular peripheral members 61 engagethe annular stop 62. In this position, the contact portion 63 of theforming member 53 is in firm engagement with the under peripheralsurface of the skirt 56 whereby the lid 54 is secured to the container21 by a squeeze action between the area of contact 63 and the pressureplate 57. It will thus be seen that there is no contact between theforming member 53 and the lid 54 in the area of the annual recess 64.Accordingly, I eliminate excessive expansion of the lid 54 intermediatethe peripheral point of contact 63 and the pressure plate 57. Byeliminating excessive expansion of the lid in this area, the lid fitsthe container 21 with a snug fit and does not become loose or separatedtherefrom. Also, by applying pressure only along the under peripheralsurface of the skirt 56 of the lid 54, the lid tends to grip theadjacent surface of the container 21 upon release of the pressureimparted by the forming members 53.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised improvedapparatus for securing ductile lids on containers. By applying pressureto the under peripheral surface of the lid and to the top of the lidonly, the pressure is applied by a squeeze action at spaced apart pointswhich results in a firm seal between the lid and the container. Also, byproviding apparatus wherein the container floats freely with the formingmembers, together with centrifugally actuated means for urging theforming members into engagement with the lid, a uniform pressure isapplied all the way around the skirt of the lid even though thecontainer may be out of round. Also, by providing an annular stop on thepressure plate in position to be engaged by the forming members as theymove inwardly, the amount of pressure applied to the lid is uniform andis limited. Furthermore, by providing adjustable counterweight unitswhich are mounted wholly within the confines of the lever arms, anydesired pressure may be applied to the lid by the forming members bymerely changing the position of the counterweights and locking the samein selected positions. It will also be seen that by providing the brakeunit in combination with the rotatable member 47, the rotation of theforming members 53 may be stopped in a minimum of time whereby thesealed container may be removed and another container positioned inplace on the support member 14.

While I have shown my invention in but one form, it will be obvious tothose skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptibleof various changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall beplaced thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container comprising:

(a) a supporting frame having a base and a head mounted in verticalspaced relation to each other and adapted to receive a containertherebetween,

(b) a support member carried by said base member in position to supportsaid container,

(c) means to impart relative vertical movement between said supportmember and said head whereby said container is positioned at selectedpositions relative to said head,

(-d) a pressure plate carried by said head and disposed to engage thelid of a container positioned on said support member,

(e) a rotatable member carried by said head and mounted concentricallyabout said pressure plate,

(f) angularly spaced levers pivotally mounted intermediate their ends onsaid rotatable member,

(g) a forming member mounted for rotation adjacent one end of each ofsaid levers in position to engage the peripheral under surface of a lidon a container supported by said support member upon inward movement ofsaid one end,

(h) counterweights carried by said levers in position to urge saidforming members toward a lid on the container upon rotation of .saidrotatable member,

(i) an annular member on each of said forming members disposed to engagean annular bearing surface on said pressure plate to limit downwardmovement of said forming member relative to said pressure plate, and

(j) an annular stop on said pressure plate disposed to engage saidforming member and limit inward movement thereof relative to saidpressure plate.

2. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined inclaim 1 in which aligning means is carried by said support member toposition a container beneath said pressure plate.

3. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined inclaim 1 in which the pressure plate is carried by the lower end of avertically extending member which is mounted concentrically of saidforming members.

4. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined inclaim 1 in which the means to impart relative vertical movement betweensaid support member and said head comprises a cam actuated memberoperatively connected to said support member.

5. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined inclaim 1 in which each of said forming members comprises;

(a) a first annular peripheral portion disposed to engage only theperipheral under surface of a lid,

(b) a second annular peripheral portion spaced from said first annularperipheral portion and disposed to engage said annular stop on saidpressure plate, an

(0) there being an annular recess between said first and second annularperipheral portions whereby the portion of each forming member betweensaid first and second annular peripheral portions is out of contact witha lid upon engagement of said forming member with a lid.

6. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined inclaim 1 in which the counterweights carried by the levers are mountedwholly within the confines of the levers.

7. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined inclaim 6 in which each counterweight is adapted for longitudinal movementadjacent longitudinally extending slots in said lever and securing meansextends through said slots into said counterweight to hold saidcounterweight at selected positions relative to said lever.

8. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container as defined inclaim 1 in which the angularly spaced levers extend in a common plane.

9. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a container comprrsrng:

(a) a supporting frame having a base and a head mounted in verticalspaced relation to each other and adapted to receive a containertherebetween,

(b) a movable support member carried by said base in position to supportsaid container,

(c) means to reciprocate said movable support member in a verticaldirection whereby the container is raised and lowered,

(d) a pressure plate carried by said head and disposed to engage the lidof a container positioned on said movable support member,

(e) a rotatable member carried by said head and mounted concentricallyabout said pressure plate,

(f) angularly spaced levers pivotally mounted intermediate their ends onsaid rotatable member,

(g) a (forming member mounted for rotation adjacent one end of each ofsaid levers in position to engage the peripheral under surface of a lidon a container positioned on said support member upon inward movement ofsaid one end,

(h) adjustable counterweighits carried by said levers in position tourge said forming members toward a lid on the container upon rotation ofsaid rotatable member,

(i) an annular flange on each of said forming members disposed to engagean annular bearing surface on said pressure plate to limit downwardmovement of said [forming member relative to said pressure plate, and

(j) an annular stop on said pressure plate disposed to engage saidforming members and limit inward movement thereof relative to saidpressure plate.

10. Apparatus ctor securing a ductile lid on a container comprising;

(a) a supporting frame having a base and a head mounted in verticalspaced relation to each other and adapted to receive a containertherebetween,

(b) a support member carried by said base member in position to supportsaid container,

(c) means to impart relative vertical movement between said supportmember and said head whereby said container is positioned at selectedpositions relative to said head,

(d) a pressure plate carried by said head and disposed to engage the lidof a container positioned on said support member,

(e) a rotatable member carried by said head and mounted concentricallyabout said pressure plate,

(f) angularly spaced forming members mounted for notation with saidrotatable member in position to engage .the peripheral under surface ofa lid on a container supported by said support member upon inwardmovement of said forming members,

(g) means to move said forming members inwardly upon rotation of saidrotatable member,

(h) an annular member on each of said forming members disposed to engagean annular bearing surface on said pressure plate to limit downwardmovement of said forming member relative to said pressure plate, and

(i) an annular stop on said pressure plate disposed to engage saidforming member and limit inward movement thereof relative to saidpressure plate. 11. Apparatus for securing a ductile lid on a containeras defined in claim 10 in which the lower surface of the 5 pressureplate is convex.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 9/1962 Fox 53-3353,076,300

FOREIGN PATENTS 240,348 10/1925 Great Britain.

15 FRANK E. BAILEY, Primary Examiner.

R. L. FARRIS, Examiner.

2/1963 Luedi et al 53340

10. APPARATUS FOR SECURING A DUCTILE LID ON A CONTAINER COMPRISING; (A)A SUPPORTING FRAME HAVING A BASE AND A HEAD MOUNTED IN VERTICAL SPACEDRELATION TO EACH OTHER AND ADAPTED TO RECEIVE A CONTAINER THEREBETWEEN,(B) A SUPPORT MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID BASE MEMBER IN POSITION TO SUPPORTSAID CONTAINER, (C) MEANS TO IMPART RELATIVE VERTICAL MOVEMENT BETWEENSAID SUPPORT MEMBER AND SAID HEAD WHEREBY SAID CONTAINER IS POSITIONEDAT SELECTED POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID HEAD, (D) A PRESSURE PLATECARRIED BY SAID HEAD AND DISPOSED TO ENGAGE THE LID OF A CONTAINERPOSITIONED ON SAID SUPPORT MEMBER, (E) A ROTATABLE MEMBER CARRIED BYSAID HEAD AND MOUNTED CONCENTRICALLY ABOUT SAID PRESSURE PLATE, (F)ANGULARLY SPACED FORMING MEMBERS MOUNTED FOR ROTATION WITH SAIDROTATABLE MEMBER IN POSITION TO